The Origins of the Drug‐Free Therapeutic Community

Abstract

SummaryIn this paper an attempt is made to trace the origins of the drug‐free therapeutic community. Virtually all such programmes in North America may be traced to Synanon, which in turn may readily be traced back through Alcoholics Anonymous to the so‐called Oxford Group. At this point the line of evolution becomes less evident. But an examination of various aspects of the background and career of Dr. Frank Buchman, founder of the Oxford Group, suggests a strong link with the Protestant Reformation and, through it, with the forms and practices of primitive Christianity as embodied in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is suggested that the present‐day therapeutic community is only the most recent reincarnation of a particular type of religious organization which dates from at least the Intertestamentary Period.

Assessing the Social Climate of Prisons

“…The hierarchical (or "concept") therapeutic community model was modelled on Charles Dederich"s "Synanon" program -a community based self-help movement for substance abusers which utilised behaviour modification techniques to effect change (Vandevelde et al 2004). Synanon had its origins in the Alcoholics Anonymous model, but over time began to focus more on drug addiction and adopted a more secular ideology (Glaser 1981). The Synanon ideals were re-developed at Daytop Village in 1963 and formed the basis of the next generation of therapeutic communities in the US (Raimo 2001), subsequently influencing the spread of this type of treatment throughout Europe (starting in Emiliehoeve in the Netherlands, see Kooyman 2001), and becoming a widely accepted model for the treatment of drug-using offenders, personality disordered offenders, and violent offenders.…”

The Videotaped Addiction Challenge Tool: a new instrument for qualitative substance abuse assessment, treatment planning and research in therapeutic communities

“…Both TCs were modelled on the American programmes 'Daytop Village' and 'Phoenix House'. They were based on the principles of the 'drug-free concept' and the hierarchical Therapeutic Community, whose history and principles have been amply described (Yablonsky, 1967;Mowrer, 1976;Glaser, 1977aGlaser, , 1977bBratter, Ernest, Collabolletta, Fossbender, Pennachia & Rubel, 1985;Kooyman, 1992;O'Brien, 1993;Broekaert & Van der Straten, 1996). The programme of De Kiem is aimed at substance abusers (illicit drugs, alcohol and medication) who want to adopt a different way of life.…”

The implementation of contextual therapy in the therapeutic community for substance abusers: a case study

“…The drug-free hierarchical TC for substance abusers originated at Synanon (1958) (O'Brien, 1993;Broekaert et al, 1999) which based and developed its philosophy and concept of treatment on some early Christian values and Zen influences, the ideas of the Oxford Group, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the Human Potential Movement, Skinner's Walden Two and the Utopian Community (Glaser, 1977;De Leon, 2000;Soyez and Broekaert, 2003). Synanon, founded and led by an ex-AA member (Chuck Dederich), wanted to reflect a new social movement.…”